Antistatic grooming device for dissipation of electrostatic charges that may exist in the hair

ABSTRACT

An antistatic grooming device, such as a comb or brush, whereby a portion of it contains static dissipative material—notably conductive polyethylene, sophisticated laminates with very thin metallized films, and other materials demonstrating similar properties—that will dissipate charge upon contact with strands of hair. The static dissipative material may be applied as a coating or incorporated in whole or in parts into the grooming device itself, as long as the static dissipative material can come into direct contact with the hair.

[0001] CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENTS U.S. Pat. Documents D226406 Feb., 1973 Long D28/24. D226877 May, 1973 Tucker D28/24. D231144 Apr., 1974 Wolff D28/24. D232665 Sep., 1974 Greubel D28/24. D236167 Jul., 1975 Daher D28/131. D253849 Jan., 1980 Schroeder D28/24. D334996 Apr., 1993 Ward D28/30. D351928 Oct., 1994 Ward D28/30. D372337 Jul., 1996 Esposito D28/24. 4139014 Feb., 1979 Rowland 132/118. 5603339 Feb., 1997 Brazeal et al. 132/119. Foreign Patent Documents 134788 Feb., 1930 CH 132/118.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to an antistatic grooming device, falling under the category of Cosmetic products or toilet articles.

[0005] 2. Background Information

[0006] Combs and hairbrushes are designed to shape hair using applied directional pressure. When the hair contains a static charge imparted by contact with certain materials or environmental factors, the attraction between the electrons imparted on the hair and the air causes the hair to resist the directional pressure of the comb—hair stands up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to provide a straightforward, low-cost, and convenient method of eliminating static in the hair.

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of dealing with the static in the hair using a grooming device, by allowing the static dissipative material in the device to come in direct contact with the hair, whereby removing any static charge present in the hair.

[0009] According to the invention, the device may take on different shapes as long as individual teeth or bristles are allowed to come in contact with the hair. The static dissipative material may be present only on the surface of the device or contained within the substrate.

[0010] To the extent that the device is not made entirely of static dissipative material, the material of the device in contact with the static dissipative material must possess adequate adhesion properties with one another to bond readily during manufacturing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0011] Not applicable

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is to be understood that the incorporation of static dissipative material into the grooming device is the key embodiment of this invention. The device itself may exhibit different design, form or shape. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as a broad teaching disclosure directed to persons familiar with materials and skilled in the manufacturing of combs, brushes and other grooming devices and not as limiting upon the present invention.

[0013] The grooming device may be formed in one of several ways:

[0014] 1) Entirely of a material exhibiting the mechanical, physical and chemical properties conducive to the manufacture of combs and hairbrushes, and having charge dissipation properties, notably conductive polyethylene.

[0015] 2) Entirely of a material exhibiting the mechanical, physical and chemical properties conducive to the manufacture of combs and hairbrushes, combined with materials having charge dissipation properties, notably conductive polyethylene.

[0016] 3) With static dissipative materials, notably laminates of very thin metallized film, applied to a substrate made of a material exhibiting the mechanical, physical and chemical properties conducive to the manufacture of combs.

[0017] 4) With antistatic materials, applied to a substrate made of a material exhibiting the mechanical, physical and chemical properties conducive to the manufacture of combs.

[0018] The antistatic grooming device may be “disposable”, having a limited life of a few uses, or be “rechargeable” as so to extend its useful life. For the later application, the following designs may be applicable for the purposes of restoring the properties of the static dissipative material:

[0019] 1) A sheath containing a resistive electrode that connects to a current, such as an electric plug, in which the grooming device is stored.

[0020] 2) A grounded receptacle made of antistatic material in which the grooming device can be placed.

[0021] The foregoing embodiments are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive of the invention, and those modifications which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are to be included therein. 

1. What I claim as my invention is a antistatic grooming device in the form of a comb or hairbrush that is comprised in part or in whole of static dissipative materials.
 2. What I claim as my invention is a device as claimed in claim 1, that exhibits charge dissipation properties when in contact with hair.
 3. What I claim as my invention is a device as claimed in claim 1, where the static dissipative material can either be part of the substrate or added in the form of a coating.
 4. What I claim as my invention is a device as claimed in claim 1, where the antistatic material is imparted to the hair.
 5. What I claim as my invention is a device as claimed in claim 1, where the static dissipative material can remain permanently affixed to the comb or hairbrush and reused. 